Dr. Ali Al-Qaradaghi, President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, recently attended a collective opening ceremony for 51 mosques and four Qur'an learning centers, all rebuilt and restored following the earthquake on February 6, 2022, in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey.
Dr. Al-Qaradaghi’s participation came in response to a special invitation from Dr. Ali Erbaş, President of Turkish Religious Affairs. Held at the Abdul Halil Agha Mosque in the Dulkadiroğlu district, Dr. Erbaş began by referencing the Qur'anic verse, “For indeed, with hardship will be ease” (Al-Inshirah: 6), which brought comfort to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Muslims. "Today, this same verse grants our hearts peace and tranquility," he remarked.
Dr. Erbaş praised the unity and resilience of the people of Kahramanmaraş, stating, “Thanks to Allah, our state’s strength, and the solidarity of Muslims, the people of Kahramanmaraş once again demonstrate their courage in overcoming hardships.” Commending the unity of the Muslim Ummah, he emphasized, “Our nation has always been capable of overcoming challenges,” drawing on the historical endurance of the Turkish people, from the recent earthquake to the War of Independence a century ago, which he said reflects the core strength of the Turkish nation.
Concluding his speech, Dr. Erbaş thanked all contributors to the mosque and Qur'an center reconstruction efforts, then cut the inaugural ribbon in the presence of many officials and community members.
Al-Qaradaghi’s Speech: A Prayer for Gaza and Gratitude for Turkey’s Resilience
In his remarks, Dr. Al-Qaradaghi began by offering heartfelt prayers for the people of Gaza, calling for their victory and mercy for their martyrs, healing for the injured, and divine justice against oppressors. “O Allah, seize the aggressive Zionist Jews and show us Your power over them, O Most Merciful,” he prayed.
He then extended a prayer for Turkey’s leadership and people, hoping for enduring security, stability, and prosperity. Expressing his joy in attending such a significant occasion, he noted, “It is a great honor for me to be with you today in this steadfast city, Kahramanmaraş, which has offered invaluable lessons of resilience and defiance against the French occupation. Today, it presents yet another example of rebuilding after the great earthquake.”
He continued, “I am delighted to be part of this blessed event, witnessing the inauguration of mosques and Qur'an centers—structures that are integral to our Islamic civilization.”
Dr. Al-Qaradaghi spoke about the essential role of mosques in society, emphasizing, “A mosque is not only a place for prayer but a center of knowledge, education, and moral guidance. It is a symbol of our unity and strength. Throughout history, mosques have been centers of cultural illumination, and today we witness the continuation of this great role through the opening of these mosques and Qur'an learning centers.”
He offered deep gratitude to all those involved in the construction efforts, saying, “I thank Turkish Religious Affairs and all who contributed to the reconstruction of these mosques and Qur'an centers. I also express sincere appreciation for Qatar Charity, which has always been a leader in supporting humanitarian and relief projects worldwide. As President of the Union and an advisor to Qatar Charity, I assure you that the people of Qatar will never forget Turkey’s noble support for them.”
Dr. Al-Qaradaghi highlighted Qatar’s support for earthquake victims in Kahramanmaraş, revealing, “In response to the call for relief for those affected by the earthquake in Kahramanmaraş, the people of Qatar donated 200 million Qatari Riyals in just three hours, reflecting the depth of brotherly ties between Qatar and Turkey.”
He also announced a new project in cooperation with Turkish Religious Affairs, stating, “On behalf of the International Union of Muslim Scholars and Qatar Charity, we are launching a comprehensive project to construct additional mosques and Qur'an centers. We extend our gratitude to the President of Religious Affairs for allocating land for this substantial project.”
Dr. Al-Qaradaghi concluded with a prayer for Turkey and its people, saying, “We ask Allah to bless Turkey, safeguard its leaders, government, and people, and aid them in serving Islam and the Muslims. May these mosques be a light and a source of guidance for their communities, and may Allah bless all who contributed to this noble endeavor.”
Attendance and Distinguished Guests
The ceremony saw the participation of Kahramanmaraş Governor Mükerrem Ünlüer, Independence University Rector Dr. İsmail Bakar, Director-General of Administrative Services at the Directorate of Religious Affairs Benyamin Kahraman, and Kahramanmaraş Mufti Abdurrahman Kutan. Ahmed Fakhro, representing Qatar Charity, also attended, along with a large number of citizens who joined in marking this important occasion.
Source: Media Office